Planning for retirement is both exciting and challenging.  We weigh big changes in our lives and big decisions that shape those changes.  There are obvious financial considerations which get most of the attention.  There are discussions and decisions about where to live – both geographically and whether to downsize in the same area.  And, of course, there are big decisions about what to do with all that newfound time and freedom that comes in retirement.

There are plenty of professionals and templates to help you navigate the financial questions.  There are additional resources to help you assess and determine where to live.  But there are fewer resources to help you with the “What will I do?” question.  It’s unique and very personal.

When this topic comes up (or I intentionally bring it up) I inevitably hear some version of, “Well, I don’t know.  I like a lot of things.”  Or the corollary, “Well I know what I DON’T want to do!”

Here’s an exercise I’m in the middle of for myself that might be helpful for you to decipher your own direction.  It considers both those things you like to do, along with the ones you’d rather never do again.

I call it the ‘3 baskets’ exercise. It’s a brilliant name and you can probably guess why!

Basket #1 – this is the phase I’m nearly finished with.  Consider this the “big basket.” Over the next week or so, take time to consider all the various activities in your work and your life.  If you’re still working, many of these might be related to your work, such as “Create and deliver performance reviews.”  But also consider all of your other personal and social activities; mow the lawn, get groceries, attend church services, play pickleball, meditate, dinner with friends, travel, write, etc.

Write each activity down on a note card and toss it in the basket.  Do this in several sessions over a week or so.  If you try to do it all at once you’ll likely miss things, and (trust me from my experience) it won’t be nearly as fun.

If you do get stuck, look back at your work, personal and social calendars over the past month or two.  That will generate more ideas.

These can be aspirational as well.  Perhaps “learn Spanish” or “get good at one song on the guitar” are things you’ve dabbled in but haven’t had time for.  Maybe you’re not sure about speaking at an event or teaching a class, but you’d like to learn more about these from others. Put them all on a card and toss them in the basket.

Once you feel like the basket is pretty representative of your overall world, place the other two baskets on either side of the one you’ve filled.

Begin taking cards out of the first basket and read each one.  Is it something that you enjoy, or something you’ve always wanted to try?  Maybe you enjoying having development discussions with younger professionals?  Or planning and prioritizing projects for the quarter or year?  

Be honest with yourself. Maybe you wrote “scuba diving” but only because someone else likes it and you really don’t have any desire to try it out.

Maybe you hate filing expenses or writing reports or sitting in volunteer committee meetings?!

Things that you enjoy go in the basket on the right.  Things that you don’t enjoy go in the basket on the left. 

This is rudimentary, but it gets you started.  Many people don’t where to begin in evaluating their interests…they just “know it when they see it.” As you evaluate part-time work in a phased retirement, this should give you insights into what you want to do and how to consider future roles.  It could also help fill in the blanks where you have the freedom to pursue activities outside of your career.

It may also bring you some clarity to your answer when someone asks, “So, what are you going to do when you retire?”  Hint: my own early answers are trending towards deeper relationships with family and friends, a renewed focus on my overall health, expanding my writing and speaking, continuing to nurture professional connections, and experiencing new learnings and perspectives through travel.